In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Many couples who have fertility problems have been able to conceive a child through the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Our Centers treat patients whose fertility has been impaired by conditions such as tubal problems, endometriosis, male factor infertility,unexplained infertility, and for those who have failed other prior fertility treatments.

Traditional IVF

During traditional IVF, you take several medications so you will develop multiple ovarian follicles that contain mature eggs capable of fertilization. This process is monitored using blood tests and vaginal ultrasounds. Mature eggs are retrieved through a simple procedure under ultrasound guidance. The retrieved eggs are then exposed to sperm in the laboratory and one or more of the resulting embryos are transferred back into your uterus.

The following ancillary services are also often performed as part of IVF treatment:

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI, or assisted fertilization, is a procedure that has dramatically improved the treatment of severe male factor infertility. A relatively common cause of infertility in couples is a low sperm count. With ICSI, a single sperm can be injected into the egg resulting in a significantly higher likelihood of fertilization. This process is used in conjunction with IVF to address male factor and other causes of infertility.

Assisted Hatching

Assisted hatching is another laboratory procedure which enhances pregnancy rates in certain women undergoing IVF. In this procedure, a small opening is made in the shell surrounding the embryo just prior to transfer of the embryo into the uterus. This increases the likelihood that the embryo will implant into the wall of the uterus, thus resulting in a successful pregnancy.

Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation, or freezing of embryos, allows you to store excess embryos for later use. During a traditional cycle of IVF, 1 to 4 embryos are usually transferred, depending on your age and your condition, to the uterus to maximize the chance of conception while minimizing the likelihood of multiple births. If pregnancy does not occur during the stimulated cycle, the frozen embryos may be thawed and transferred to the uterus during a spontaneous menstrual cycle. If conception does result from the initial stimulated cycle, cryopreserved embryos can be used later in an attempt to achieve another pregnancy.

Embryo Options

After completing in vitro fertilization treatment, many couples have questions regarding options for their frozen embryos. The following resource lists some options and explanations of how they work.

Disposal

Center patients who choose to dispose of their embryos are required to sign a Disposal Consent and embryos, if disposed, will be disposed of according to American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) ethical standards which require proper documentation of embryo handling and disposition, as well as a properly executed consent to dispose.

Resource:
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Statement on Disposition of Abandoned Embryos

Donate to Another Couple

Many couples find themselves in the position of having completed the family building process and having embryos still frozen in storage. Donating these embryos to another couple for their use in their infertility treatment can be an option.

Resources:
ReproTech, Ltd
1944 Lexington Avenue North
Roseville, MN 55113
Email: info@reprot.com
Web site: www.reprot.com

National Embryo Donation Center
Baptist Hospital for Women
10810 Parkside Drive, Suite 304
Knoxville, TN 37922
Toll Free: 866-585-8549
Phone: 865-218-6600
Fax: 865- 218-6666
Email: info@embryodonation.org
Website: www.embryodonation.org

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Embryo Donation: A Family Building Option

Donate to Research

The use of embryos in research is a high profile topic in the media today. Those interested in pursuing this option may be responsible for identifying the research program to which they are interested in donating their embryos.

Resource:
Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI)
Stem Cell Research exploring a cure for diabetes and neural diseases
Shipping of embryos managed and paid for by HSCI

Long-term Storage

Once embryos have been stored for some years, and it is desired that they continue to be frozen and stored, it may be optimal to move them to a long term storage facility that specializes in the long term storage of frozen embryos.

Resource:
ReproTech, Ltd
1944 Lexington Avenue North
Roseville, MN 55113
Email: info@reprot.com
Web site: http://www.reprot.com

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